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Robert Gordon

Vice-President Research and Acting Provost

Biography / Academic Background

Rob Gordon, PhD, is the vice-president of research at Wilfrid Laurier University. In this role, which he started in November 2015, his primary focus involves building Laurier’s research enterprise and promoting its value and importance. The scope and impact of research at Laurier has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting its central and growing role in the life of the university.

Gordon serves as Laurier’s research champion, driving a strategic, self-reflective research culture. He also has overall responsibility for leadership in and administration of research and other scholarly activities at all of Laurier’s campuses. In addition to being vice-president of research, Gordon holds a faculty appointment at Laurier’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. He is also acting provost at Laurier, a role that he will hold until June 2018.

In 2008, Gordon became the sixth dean of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) at the University of Guelph, a position he held until joining Laurier. In his role as dean, he led the largest agriculture and food faculty in Canada. Through his leadership, OAC was ranked first in Canada, fifth in North America and ninth globally in agriculture and food research impact.

Gordon was previously at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC), now Dalhousie University, for nine years, serving as a dean of research, department head, professor and Canada Research Chair. He also headed the environmental management section of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and administered the Nova Scotia Environmental Farm Plan Program on behalf of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. He also previously served as an extension specialist through the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.

Gordon earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from McGill University and a PhD in Land Resource Science from the University of Guelph. He also holds an engineering diploma from NSAC.

A leading authority on environmental issues in Canada, his Canada Research Chair was in the area of environmental resource management. He has published well over 150 peer-reviewed articles and has supervised more than 60 graduate students throughout his career.

He is the recipient of many awards including the Premier's Award of Excellence in Nova Scotia and a number of other recognitions for research and service.